“She brought me my happy….”

Candy that is, that was her “happy”…oh and “her” is my 2 1/2 year old little spit fire, hot mess that has me so wrapped around her finger I am permanently attached, by choice, of course! This moment literally made me drop what I was doing and write,you never know when that moment will “expire” and trust me, it will. Quickly. Without even a trace of memory. This is my daily life. Oh and just to complete the story, the “she” in this action was her big sister, hands down the best big sister E.V.E.R. My 5 year old saw my 2 year old with a box of nerds and her mothering/slight O.C.D cleanliness side (she is so mine) went and got her 2 year old sister a little bowl to house her nerds, to prevent possible spilling. Oh bless. This just melted my heart.

So what is your happy? Who brings it to you? My happy can be so many things, depending on the day, time and hour. For instance, mornings…my happy is always coffee, my book and just a few minutes of quiet time to enjoy them both simultaneously! This is so rare, especially with a 2 year old…the 5 year old and 7 year old seem to get this concept…but the 2 year old just looks at me with her chocolate brown eyes, that melt my heart, uttering the words, “I just want to hold you”…which of course means hold her and it kills me. But momma needs her coffee. Sorry, this is for her own benefit. Coffee makes me a happier, more “hold you” kinda momma, (I am seriously so in love this child and all her craziness!) So back to my happiness, middle of the day…my happiness is delivered in the form of Days of our Lives, this is a rare happiness that is actually delivered, praise God for the NBC app to watch it later. 5 pm happiness, a glass of red, not too picky. 10 pm happiness, sleep!!! Now the true happiness comes if I actually fall asleep, but yes, this is my happiness. I could go on and on, listing all the happy in each season, each holiday, but I’m going to put a bow on this one….because frankly, I think you get the point. Happiness can come in so many ways, from so many places and so many people. Happiness can be a feeling, it can be an experience, it can be a vision. Happiness can be what YOU make it.

4Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4)

I have found the more I focus on said happiness, the more I feel it, the more I experience it. Knowing where my happiness comes from is a true source of happiness in itself. Knowing this life was not only created for me to be my very best self, but to accomplish greatness brings me a whole new perspective on happiness. Realizing that each day is a fresh start with forgiveness from yesterday coating it like a warm blanket. Seeing the beauty in being alive, being free and being of sound mind and body allows me to take my happiness, share it, spread it and be present with it.

So I ask you again, where does your source of happiness come from? Who brings you a bowl for your nerds so you won’t spill them? I’m not speaking literally here, although these humans are A-mazing! I’m speaking figuratively, I’m speaking to your heart, your spirit, your soul. Do you look upon yourself for said “happiness”? Oh sweet friends, with my limited experience in life, I urge us not to do this. In the small amount of wisdom I have acquired in these 35 short years of life, I can tell you this source will run out, be depleted, leaving us empty every time.

20Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. (Proverbs 16:20)

So whether you are in a place today of true joy, contentment or suffering, just know that you are among friends. Suffering is not a sign of punishment or condemnation. Suffering is a mere discipline to strengthen you to find your happiness. Your Joy. Your Life. So lets pull up our boot straps, put on that armor and face today with grit, excitement and joy. Lets find our happiness. The happiness we all deserve, the happiness we are all promised through our Creator, our Father, our Home, our great I am.

10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)